<p>Self-cleaning glass is a major technological breakthrough that has transformed how we interact with various surfaces. Using nanotechnology, these innovative solutions offer many benefits, such as improved appearance, lower maintenance costs, and higher energy efficiency. This comprehensive review explains the basic principles of self-cleaning glass, highlighting different nanomaterials and surface modification methods that enable these impressive features. Photocatalytic materials like titanium dioxide (TiO₂) use sunlight to break down organic dirt and debris, while superhydrophobic surfaces known for their very low surface energy repel water and dirt, making them easy to wash away with rain or rinsing. It provides a detailed assessment of nanomaterial-based coatings, mainly for their role in enhancing the self-cleaning properties of glass surfaces. These coatings are often made of metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, or polymer composites. They can be applied through techniques like sol-gel, chemical vapor deposition, and physical vapor deposition. The review clearly explains how particle size, surface structure, and chemical makeup affect the effectiveness of these coatings. It concludes by exploring future developments in self-cleaning glass, including multifunctional coatings that combine self-cleaning features with other desirable qualities like anti-fogging, anti-reflective, and antimicrobial properties. Industry experts and researchers are working to make self-cleaning glass a standard technology by addressing challenges related to durability, cost, and large-scale manufacturing, thereby changing how we interact with our built environment.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>